Fin and heat sink having the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a fin and a heat sink. The fin includes a body having at least one first through-hole and at least one first protrusion. The first protrusion extends from the first through-hole toward one side of the body to form a first protruding end. At least one first notch is provided on the body in communication with the first through-hole. The fins are stacked up to form a fin set. A first heat pipe penetrates the fin set to constitute the heat sink. The first heat pipe penetrates the first through-hole while the first notch is expanded, so that the first protruding end tightly abuts against the first heat pipe. In this way, the structural strength of the fin is improved, the first heat pipe is protected from wearing due to the rubbing of fins against the heat pipe, and the heat-conducting efficiency is increased.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 099115435 filed on May 14, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fin and a heat sink having the same, and in particular to a fin capable of preventing the surface of a heat pipe from wearing, increasing the structural strength of the fin, and increasing the heat-conducting efficiency of the fin.

2. Description of Prior Art

With the advancement of semiconductor technology, the volume of an integrated circuit is reduced. In order to make the integrated circuit to process greater amount of data, several times of electronic elements than before are mounted on the integrated circuit of the same volume. The more the electronic elements mounted on the integrated circuit are, the greater the heat generated by the electronic elements is. Taking a central processor as an example, the heat generated by the central processor in its heavy load may even burn down the central processor. Thus, it is an important issue to provide a heat sink for the integrated circuit.

A common heat sink is made of metallic materials of high heat-conducting efficiency. The heat sink is provided with fins to increase the total area for heat dissipation. Further, in order to increase the heat-dissipating effect, a fan is used to generate a compulsive airflow for heat dissipation. Further, heat pipes may be used to facilitate the heat dissipation, thereby preventing the integrated circuit from burning down.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are an assembled perspective view and a partial schematic view of a conventional heat sink. As shown in these drawings, the heat sink 10 has a plurality of heat pipes 20 and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins 30. Each of the heat pipes 20 has a heat-releasing end 21 and a heat-absorbing end 22. The heat-dissipating fins 30 define a plurality of heat-dissipating channels 31. Each of the heat-dissipating fins 30 has at least one through-hole 32 and a protrusion 33 protruding form the periphery of the through-hole 32. The heat-releasing end 21 of the heat pipe 20 penetrates the through-hole 32 and the protrusion 33 to connect the respective heat-dissipating fins 30 in series, so that the through-holes 32 and the protrusions 33 of the respective fins 30 can be brought into tight contact with each other. By this arrangement, an optimal heat-conducting effect can be generated between the heat pipes 20 and the heat-dissipating fins 30. The heat-dissipating fins 30 are overlapped with each other, thereby saving materials and achieving better heat-exchange efficiency. Each of the heat-dissipating fins 30 is so thin that the structural strength of the heat-dissipating fin 30 is insufficient. When the heat pipe 20 penetrates the through-holes 32 and the protrusions 33, the heat pipe 20 may make the through-holes 32 of the respective heat-dissipating fins 30 to suffer deformation or damage. Furthermore, the outer surface of the heat pipe 20 may be worn due to the rubbing of the heat-dissipating fins 30 against the heat pipe, which affecting the heat-conducting effect of the heat pipe 20.

According to the above, the prior art has disadvantages as follows:

(1) the heat-dissipating fins may suffer damage due to the penetration of the heat pipes;

(2) the heat pipe may be worn due to the rubbing of the heat-dissipating fins against the heat pipe; and

(3) the heat-conducting efficiency of the heat sink is reduced.

Therefore, the present Inventor and the manufacturers in this field have made attempt to solve the problems of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problems, an objective of the present invention is to provide a fin capable of increasing the heat-conducting efficiency and the structural strength thereof and a heat sink having such fins.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a fin and a heat sink having the fins. The fin includes a body having at least one through-hole and at least one first protrusion, the first protrusion protruding from the periphery of the first through-hole toward one side of the body to form a first protruding end. The fin also has at least one first notch formed on the body in communication with the first through-hole. The first notch has a first portion extending radially from the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the first protrusion. The second portion may not penetrate or penetrate the first protruding end. The fins are stacked up to form a fin set. At least one first heat pipe penetrates the first through-holes of the fins to form a heat sink. When the first heat pipe penetrates the first through-holes, the first protruding end of the first protrusion can tightly abut against the first heat pipe due to the expansion of the first notch, thereby increasing the total structural strength of the fins. Further, the first heat pipe can be protected from wearing due to the rubbing of the fins against the heat pipe. Further, the body of the fin can be prevented from suffer damage due to the penetration of the heat pipe. On the other hand, the heat-conducting efficiency can be improved greatly.

Therefore, the present invention has advantages as follows:

(1) the structural strength of the fins is increased;

(2) the surface of the heat pipe is protected from wearing; and

(3) the heat-conducting efficiency is increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional heat sink;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional heat-dissipating fin;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a fin according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the fin according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing the fin according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives and structural and functional features of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings

Please refer to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, which are views showing the fin of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fin 40 comprises a body 41 having at least one through-hole. In the present embodiment, the body 41 has two through-holes. As shown in FIG. 3A, the body 41 has at least one first through-hole 42, at least one second through-hole 43, at least one first protrusion 421 and at least one second protrusion 431. The first through-hole 42 is provided on the body 41. The first protrusion 421 protrudes from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 towards one side of the body 41 to form a first protruding end 422. At least one notch 423 is provided on the body 41 in communication with the first through-hole 42. The first notch 423 has a first portion 4231 provided on the body 41. The first portion 4231 extends radially from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 in a direction away from the first through-hole 42.

The second through-hole 43 is also formed on the body 41. The second protrusion 431 extends from the periphery of the second through-hole 43 toward the same side or the other side of the body 41 to form a second protruding end 432 (in the present embodiment, the second protrusion extends toward the other side of the body 41). At least one second notch 433 is formed on the body 41 in communication with the second through-hole 43. The second notch 433 has a third portion 4331 provided on the body 41. The third portion 4331 extends radially from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 in a direction away from the second through-hole 43.

Please refer to FIG. 3B, which is a perspective view showing the fin according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elements and connection between elements of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in that: the first notch 423 has a first portion 4231 and a second portion 4232. The first portion 4231 is provided on the body 41 and extends radially from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 in a direction away from the first through-hole 42. The second portion 4232 extends from the first portion 4231 toward the first protrusion 421 without penetrating the first protruding end 422. The second notch 433 has a third portion 4331 and a fourth portion 4332. The third portion 4331 is provided on the body 41 and extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole 43 in a direction away from the second through-hole 43. The fourth portion 4332 extends from the third portion 4331 to the second protrusion 431 without penetrating the second protruding end 432.

Please refer to FIG. 3C, which is a perspective view showing the fin according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The elements and connection between elements of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in that: the second portion 4232 of the first notch 423 extends from the first portion 4231 to the first protrusion 421 and penetrates the first extending end 422. The fourth portion 4332 of the second notch 433 extends from the third portion 4331 toward the second protrusion 431 and penetrates the second protruding end 432.

Please refer to FIGS. 4A to 4C. FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment provides a heat sink 50 having the fins 40. The heat sink 50 comprises a fin set 60, at least one first heat pipe 70 and at least one second heat pipe 80. The fin set 60 has a plurality of fins 40. Each of the fins 40 has a body 41. The body 41 has at least one first through-hole 42, at least one second through-hole 43, at the one first protrusion 421 and at least one second protrusion 431. The first protrusion 421 extends from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 toward on side of the body 41 to form a first protruding end 422 and at least one first notch 423 on the body 41. The first notch 423 has a first portion extending radially from the periphery of the first through-hole 42 in a direction away from the first through-hole 42. The second protrusion 431 extends from the periphery of the second through-hole 43 toward the other side of the body 41 to form a second protruding end 432 and at least one second notch 433 on the body 41. The second notch 433 has a third portion extending radially from the periphery of the second through-hole 43 in a direction away from the second through-hole 43.

The first heat pipe 70 has a first heat-releasing end 71 and a first heat-absorbing end 72. The second heat pipe 80 has a second heat-releasing end 81 and a second heat-absorbing end 82. The first heat-releasing end 71 is inserted into the first through-hole 42. The first heat-releasing end 71 penetrates through the first protrusion 421 and the first protruding end 422 to connect the first through-holes 42 of the respective fins 40. When the first heat-releasing end 71 penetrates the first through-hole 42, the first notch 423 allows the first protrusion 421 to expand, so that the first protruding end 422 can abut against the first heat pipe 70. The second heat-releasing end 81 is inserted into the second through-hole 43. The second heat-releasing end 81 penetrates through the second protrusion 431 and the second protruding end 432 to connect the second through-holes 43 of the respective fins 40. When the second heat-releasing end 81 penetrates the second through-hole 43, the second notch 433 allows the second protrusion 431 to expand, so that the second protruding end 432 can abut against the heat pipe. In this way, the first heat pipe 70 penetrates the first through-hole 42 and the second heat pipe 80 penetrates the second through-hole 43. The expansion of the first notch 423 and the second notch 433 can increase the structural strength of the fin 40 and protect the first heat pipe 70 and the second heat pipe 80 from suffering damage or deformation due to the rubbing of the fins 40 against the heat pipes. Also, the body 41 of the fin 40 can be prevented from suffering damage or deformation due to the penetration of the heat pipe. On the other hand, the heat-conducting efficiency can be improved greatly.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A to 5C. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elements and connection between elements of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in that: the first notch 423 has a first portion 4231 and a second portion 4232. The second portion 4232 extends from the first portion 4231 to the first protrusion 421 without penetrating the first protruding end 422. The second notch 433 has a third portion 4331 and a fourth portion 4332. The fourth portion 4332 extends from the third portion 4331 to the second protrusion 431 without penetrating the second protruding end 432. Thus, when the first heat pipe 70 and the second heat pipe 80 penetrate the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 43 respectively, the first portion 4231 and the second portion 4232 of the first notch 423 are expanded while the third portion 4331 and the fourth portion 4332 of the second notch 433 are expanded. In this way, the structural strength of the fin 40 can be increased. Further, the first heat pipe 70 and the second heat pipe 80 can be protected from suffer deformation or damage due to the rubbing of the fins 40 against the heat pipes. Also, the body 41 of the fin 40 can be prevented from suffering deformation or damage due to the penetration of the heat pipes. On the other hand, the heat-conducting efficiency can be increased greatly.

Please refer to FIGS. 6A to 6C. FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view showing a heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing a portion of the heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is an assembled perspective view showing the heat sink according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elements and connection between elements of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment lies in that: the second portion 4232 of the first notch 423 extends from the first portion 4231 to the first protrusion 421 and penetrates the first protruding end 422. The fourth portion 4332 of the second notch 433 extends from the third portion 4331 to the second protrusion 431 and penetrates the second protruding end 432. Thus, when the first heat pipe 70 and the second heat pipe 80 penetrate the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 43 respectively, the first portion 4231 and the second portion 4232 of the first notch 423 are expanded while the third portion 4331 and the fourth portion 4332 of the second notch 433 are expanded. In this way, the structural strength of the fin 40 can be increased. Further, the first heat pipe 70 and the second heat pipe 80 can be protected from suffer deformation or damage due to the rubbing of the fins 40 against the heat pipes. On the other hand, the heat-conducting efficiency can be increased greatly.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A fin, comprising: a body having at least one first through-hole and at least one first protrusion, the first protrusion extending from the periphery of the first through-hole toward one side of the body to form a first protruding end, at least one first notch being provided on the body in communication with the first through-hole.
 2. The fin according to claim 1, wherein the first notch has a first portion formed on the body, the first portion extends radially from the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole.
 3. The fin according to claim 1, wherein the first notch has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed on the body and extends radially form the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole, the second portion extends from the first portion to the first protrusion without penetrating the first protruding end.
 4. The fin according to claim 1, wherein the first notch has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed on the body and extends radially form the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole, the second portion extends from the first portion to the first protrusion and penetrates the first protruding end.
 5. The fin according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 6. The fin according to claim 2, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 7. The fin according to claim 3, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 8. The fin according to claim 4, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 9. The fin according to claim 5, wherein the second notch has a third portion formed on the body, the third portion extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole.
 10. The fin according to claim 5, wherein the second notch has a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion is formed on the body and extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole, the fourth portion extends from the third portion to the second protrusion without penetrating the second protruding end.
 11. The fin according to claim 5, wherein the second notch has a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion is formed on the body and extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole, the fourth portion extends from the third portion to the second protrusion and penetrates the second protruding end.
 12. A heat sink, comprising; a fin set having a plurality of fins, each of the fins comprising a body, the body having at least one first through-hole and at least one first protrusion, the first protrusion extending from the periphery of the first through-hole toward one side of the body to form a first protruding end, at least one first notch being provided on the body in communication with the first through-hole; and at least one first heat pipe having at least one first heat-releasing end and at least one first heat-absorbing end, the first heat-releasing end penetrating the first through-holes of the respective fins.
 13. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein the first notch has a first portion formed on the body, the first portion extends radially from the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole
 14. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein the first notch has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed on the body and extends radially form the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole, the second portion extends from the first portion to the first protrusion without penetrating the first protruding end.
 15. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein the first notch has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is formed on the body and extends radially form the periphery of the first through-hole in a direction away from the first through-hole, the second portion extends from the first portion to the first protrusion and penetrates the first protruding end.
 16. The heat sink according to claim 12, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 17. The heat sink according to claim 13, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 18. The heat sink according to claim 14, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 19. The heat sink according to claim 15, further comprising at least one second through-hole and at least one second protrusion, the second through-hole being formed on the body, the second protrusion extending from the periphery of the second through-hole toward the other side of the body to form a second protruding end, at least one second notch being formed on the body in communication with the second through-hole.
 20. The heat sink according to claim 16, wherein the second notch has a third portion formed on the body, the third portion extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole.
 21. The heat sink according to claim 16, wherein the second notch has a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion is formed on the body and extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole, the fourth portion extends from the third portion to the second protrusion without penetrating the second protruding end.
 22. The heat sink according to claim 16, wherein the second notch has a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion is formed on the body and extends radially from the periphery of the second through-hole in a direction away from the second through-hole, the fourth portion extends from the third portion to the second protrusion and penetrates the second protruding end.
 23. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein the first heat-releasing end of the first heat pipe penetrates through the first protrusion and the first protruding end to connect the first through-holes of the respective fins.
 24. The heat sink according to claim 12, wherein the first notch allows the first protrusion to expand when the first heat pipe penetrates the first through-hole, the protruding end of the expanded first protrusion abuts against the first heat pipe.
 25. The heat sink according to claim 16, further comprising a second heat pipe, the second heat pipe having a second heat-absorbing end and a second heat-releasing end, the second heat-releasing end penetrates the second protrusion and the second protruding end to connect the second through-holes of the respective fins,
 26. The heat sink according to claim 25, wherein the second notch allows the second protrusion to expand when the second heat pipe penetrates the second through-hole, the protruding end of the expanded second protrusion abuts against the second heat pipe. 